Printing press



Nov. 13, 1962 E. D. NYSTRAND ETAL 3, ,3 7

PRINTING PRESS 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 14, 1959 /N I/E N TORS g /6BYMM,%

ATTORNEYS.

Nov. 13, 1962 E. D. NYSTRAND ETAL 3,

PRINTING PRESS 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 14, 1959 ATTORN S.

NOV- 3, 196 E. D. NYSTRAND ET AL 3,063,367

PRINTING PRESS Filed May 14, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Brfi w, M

ATTORNEYS.

Nov. 13, 1962 E. D. NYSTRAND ETAL 3,063,367

PRINTING PRESS 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed May 14, 1959 /.A|Y a 11-ATTORNEYS.

m raes This invention relates to a printing press, and, more.particularly, to a press employing a single impression cylindercooperating with a plurality of ink-applying units.

In a single impression cylinder, a web is partially wrapped around thecylinder and travels with the cylinder as the cylinder rotates. Atspaced-apart points on the periphery of the cylinder, ink is applied toprovide a composite printed web. A number of advantages accrue from thisprocedure, especially the ease with which registration can be achieved.Each ink-applying unit can be indexed carefully and matched for properregistration. However, the advantages of the single impression cylinderfor printing have only been imperfectly realized in the past. Eachink-applying unit presents a different problem, since it is located at adifferent position on the periphery of the single impression cylinder.In the past, different ink formulations have had to be employed becauseof the different lengths of time. elapsing between the application ofink to the printing roll and the time the ink is transferred therefromto the web.

It is an object of this invention to provide a novel printing mechanismthat overcomes these drawbacks and provides beneficial advantages formulticolored printing, and the like. Another object is to provide aprinting press in which the advantages of a single impression cylinderare realized without any of the disadvantages characteristic of theink-applying units of the past. Still another object is to provide anovel printing mechanism employing a single impression cylinder havingits axis vertically disposed. Yet another object is to provide aprinting mechanism in which a plurality of printing units are disposedabout the periphery of an impression cylinder, each unit including arotogravure or engraved roll and a transfer roll.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel mechanism foroffset gravure printing. A still further object is to provide a printingmechanism effective to provide offset gravure printing in which each ofthe printing units is characterized by the same geometry and wherein asingle ink formulation can be employed. A yet further object is toprovide a printing mechanism having a plurality of ink-applying stationsdisposed about a single impression cylinder in which the need forspecial drying expedients at each ink-applying station is eliminated.

Another object is to provide a printing mechanism in which a singleimpression cylinder is vertically disposed for rotation with a travelingweb, the cylinder being equipped with a plurality of equallyspaced-apart inkapplying roll units, each of the units beingsubstantially identical. Yet another object is to provide, in amechanism of the character described in the object immediatelypreceding, a novel mechanism for doctoring the ink-applying roll units.Still. another object is to provide, in a printing mechanism of thecharacter described hereinbefore, a novel drive, transmission systemwhich permits of the replacement of ink-applying rolls so as to achievedifferent register on the web. Other objects and advantages of thisinvention can be seen as this specification proceeds.

The invention will be described in conjunction with an illustrativeembodiment in the accompanying drawing, in which tent has FIG. 1 is atop plan view, partially broken away, of a press embodying teachings ofthis invention;

FIG. 2. is an enlarged view of a fragment of the apparatus seen in FIG.1, the view in FIG. 2 also being a top plan view and featuring theink-applying means equipped with larger ink-applying rolls;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary elevational view, partially in section, of theapparatus of FIG. 1 and specifically showing the ink-applying unit andthe impression cylinder;

FIG; 4 is a fragmentary elevational view, partially in section, of drivemeans for the apparatus and corresponds essentially to a view takenalong the line 44 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary elevational view, partially in section, showingweb guide rolls;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary elevational view, partially in section, of aportion of the ink-applying means and corresponds essentially to a viewtaken along the line 66 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view, taken along the line 77 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is afragmentary elevational view of a yoke structure employed inconjunction with the apparatus seen in FIGS. 6 and 7 FIG. 9 is afragmentary elevational view, partially in section, of doctoring meansassociated with the apparatus seen in FIGS. 68;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary elevational view, partially in section, of apair of cross shafts employed with the apparatus of FIGS. 6-9; and

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary elevational view, partially in section, ofapparatus for positioning the ink-applying means.

- In the illustration given, and with particular reference to FIG. 1,the numeral 10 designates generally an impression cylinder. Inasmuch asFIG. 1 is a top plan view, the axis of the cylinder 10 is seen to bedisposed vertically. The numeral 11 designates generally a firstink-applying unit, while the numeral 12 designates a second ink-applyingunit. The numeral 13 designates an unwinder for the apparatus, while 14designates generally a rewinder for the apparatus. The numeral 15designates a motor for driving the various rotative elements in thepress which are employedto unwind, print, and rewind a web generallydesignated 16.

In FIG. 1, the numeral 16w designates the portion of the web leaving theunwinder 13. The numeral 16b designates that portion of the Web on theimpression cylinder 10 before it is engaged by the first ink-applyingunit 11. The numeral designates the web on the impression cylinder 10'during the first drying operation and after it has been pressed by thefirst ink-applying unit 11. 16d indicates that-portion of the webleaving the second ink-applying unit 12 and during the seconddryingstep. Finally, 16a designates that portion of the web as it is about tobe rewound on rewinder 14.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the numeral 17 designates a frame whichsupports the elements 1012 above described. If desired, the frame may beextended to support also the unwinder 13 and rewinder 14. The numeral 18designates guide rolls in the path of travel of the web 16, the guiderolls being suitably supported for rotation on frame 17. The rolls arealso seen in FIG. 5 with one roll being mounted on a shaft 18::supported in the frame portions 17a and 18a. The other roll is supportedon arms 18b so as to be positioned to press web 16 against impressioncylinder 10. The numeral 19 designates yet other guide rolls employedfor directing the travel of web 16 and which are interposed between the.frame 17 and the unwinder and rewinder 13 and 14, respectively.

The numeral 20 designates a shaft which is mounted for rotation about avertical axis and suitably supported within frame 17. The shaft 20 isthe main drive shaft and will be described in more detail hereinafter inconnection with FIG. 4.

The numeral 21 (seen only in FIG. 1) designates generally transmissionmeans for transmitting rotative power from motor to shaft 20. Thetransmission means 21 includes a sheave 21a suitably locked on motorshaft 15a. The transmission means 21 also includes a belt 21b which isentrained over sheave 21a and also over sheave 21c, the last-mentionedsheave being locked on shaft 20.

Transmission means generally designated 22 are seen in FIG. 1 fortransmitting a rotative power from the main drive shaft to the rewinder14. For this purpose, a sheave 22a is provided on shaft 20, which iscoupled to a sheave 220 on rewinder 14 through a belt 22b. A similartransmission system may be provided for the unwinder 13. If desired, therewinder 14 and unwinder 13 can be supported on the same frame such asis designated by the numeral 23.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the elements previously referred to anddesignated by the numerals 20, 210, 22a, 10, 16, and 17 can be seen. Theshaft 20, as seen in FIG. 4, has keyed to it the sheaves or pulleys 22aand 21c. The shaft 20 is journaled in the frame 17 by a roller bearing24 in the upper frame 17a and by a ball bearing 25 in the lower frame17b. The shaft 20 is equipped with a clutch 26 which engages a gearhousing 27 equipped with gear teeth 27a. The gear teeth 27a engage agear 28 provided as part of the impression cylinder 10, the large gearor bull gear 28 being seen in complete form in FIG. 3.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the upper and lower frames 17a and 17b areseen, which rotatably support the impression cylinder shaft 29. For thispurpose, the upper frame portion 17a is equipped with a bearing 30, andthe lower frame portion 17b is equipped with a bearing 31.

In the operation of the elements thus far described, rotative motionfrom motor 15 is transmitted through means 21 to shaft 20. Shaft 20, inrotating and with clutch 26 engaged with housing 27, causes acorresponding rotation of the bull gear 28. The bull gear 28, beinglocked on impression cylinder 10 as at 28a, causes a correspondingrotation of the impression cylinder 10, and, with it, the web 16.

As can be seen from FIG. 4, the shaft 20 also provides means for drivingthe ink-applying units. For this purpose, the shaft 20 is equipped witha pinion 32 which engages a second bull gear 33 associated with shaft 29of impression cylinder 10. Referring now to FIG. 3, where the secondbull gear 33 is seen in its entirety, it will be noted that a bearing 34is interposed between the bull gear 33 and the shaft 29 so that the gear33 is free to rotate relative to the shaft 29. Thus, the shaft 29 servesas a support for the gear 33 which is employed for transmitting rotativemotion from the shaft 20 to the ink-applying units independently of anyrotation of the impression cylinder 10.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the ink-applying units 11 and 12 are disposedat other portions of the periphery of cylinder 10 than shaft 20, and thelarge gear 33 provides means for coupling the rolls of the ink-applyingunits 11 and 12 to the shaft 20. Here, it is to be appreciated that onlytwo ink-applying units are shown for the sake of clarity ofpresentation, but a number of units may be conveniently installed aboutthe periphery of cylinder 10.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the numeral 35 designates a pinion gearhaving spiral or helical teeth mounted on shaft 36. Shaft 36 carries arubber-covered transfer roll 37 which is arranged for contact with web16. The pinion gear 35 is engaged by the bull gear 33 also equipped withspiral or helical teeth so that as gear 33 rotates, so also will theroll 37. The shaft 36 is vertically disposed and is journaled in abearing 38 supported by retractable shaft 38a in the upper frame portion17a. The shaft 36, at its lower end, is journaled in bearing 39supported by retractable shaft 39a in the lower frame portion 17b. Theshaft 36 is equipped with a second gear 40 which mates with a gear 41carried by a second shaft 42. The shaft 42 is on the axis of an engravedor gravure roll 43. The shaft 42 is supported from the upper frameportion 17a in a fashion similar to shaft 36, being journaled in bearing44 supported by retractable shaft 44a, while the lower end of the shaft42 is journaled in a bearing 45 carried by a shaft 45a retractablymounted in the lower frame portion 17b. Thus the rolls 37 and 43 may beremoved from the frame 17.

In the apparatus just described for driving the inkapplying rolls 43 and37, each rotation of shaft 20 provides a corresponding rotation in rolls37 and 43 through the gear train made up of pinion 31, bull gear 33, andgears 35, 36 and 41. When clutch 26 is disengaged and the rolls 37 and43 retracted horizontally away from impression cylinder 10 by abreak-away mechanism to be described hereinafter, it is possible torotate the roll 37 independently of the single impression cylinder 10.This prevents ink from drying on the rolls and maintains the rolls inproper register with each other. Change of register longitudinally ofweb 16 is achieved by turning shaft 38a, threadedly received in astationary nut 38b. This results in raising or lowering shaft 36. Themating helical teeth on gears 33 and 35 free the roll 37 to revolveslightly around its axis. Change of registry transversely of web 16 isachieved by moving the engraved roll 43 vertically relative to thetransfer of roll 37, and this is achieved by raising or lowering shaft44a in a fashion similar to that described relative to shaft 36a. Thegear 41 is a straight or spur gear and thus can be moved verticallyrelative to the spur gear 36 to change the transverse register on web16. This results in vertical movement of roll 43.

For the purpose of describing one of the ink-applying units in greaterdetail, reference will be made to the showing in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, thenumerals 37 and 43 again designate a transfer roll and a gravure roll,respectively. These rolls in FIG. 2 represent about the maximum diameterrolls employable, while the showing in FIG. 1 has the rolls shown in theminimum diameter employable.

In FIG. 2, the numeral 46 designates a shroud extending about the bottomportion of gravure roll 43 for the purpose of collecting ink flowingdown gravure roll 43. The shroud 46 can also be seen in top plan view inFIG. 1 and in sectional elevational view in FIG. 3. In FIG. 2, the meansfor supplying ink is seen in the form of two vertically-extending pipes47 and 48. The ink pipe 47 is positioned so as to apply ink to theperiphery of roll 43 just after impression has been made, i.e., transferof ink to the rubber-covered roll 37. The pipe 48 is positioned to applyink to the engraved roll 43 just prior to contact between roll 43 andthe doctor blade 52. Each pipe is carried by pipe-supporting arms 49which are movably secured to the frame 17a and are pivotally relatedtherewith as at 50. The numeral 51 (seen only in FIG. 2) designatesorifices in pipes 47 and 48 for supplying ink over the entire verticalsurface of the gravure roll 43. Pump means (not shown) may be providedfor recirculating ink from shroud 46 to pipes 47 and 48. Also seen inFIG. 2 and adjacent pipe 48 is a doctor blade 52 which is arranged forvertical reciprocation against the surface of gravure roll 43.

In the operation of the ink-applying unit 11, the rolls 37 and 43 arerotated by the gear coupling with shaft 20. As the roll 43 rotates, inkis applied thereto in a plurality of streams from pipes 47 and 48. Thisink is received and trapped in the gravure depressions provided on thesurface of roll 43, with excess ink being doctored therefrom by means ofthe doctor blade 52. The ink from the gravure depressions is transferredto the rubbershaft 55.

portions 63 and63a at the ends thereof. portions 63 and 63a are'oifsetfrom the axis of theshaft mitting power to the shaft 59.

it portion 1-7a.

covered transfer roll 37 and-from the transfer roll 37 to the web 16traveling on the periphery of the impression v,eylinder 10.

doctor blade 52 is seen in side elevation and is seen to be rigidlymounted on frame 53. The frame 53 is equipped with a pair ofclamping-brackets :54 which positionably mount the doctor blade 52 on avertically-extending The shaft 55 -is carried in the frame 17 by meansof a bearing'56 in the lower frame portion 17b and in the upper frameportion 17a by a bearing 57. The extreme uppenportion ofthe shaft 55 isconnected to a Scotch yoke generally designated '58, which in turn isconnected to aneccentrically-mounted shaft 59. The structure oftheyoke'58 can be seen in detail in FIG. 8, where the numeral .60designates the-horizontally split body. of theyoke. The yoke body 60 isequipped with a slot 61, in which is :mounted a laterally-reciprocableblock 62. The Scotchyoke SS-operates to resolve a circular motionprovided by shaft 59 into two rectilinear components, the horizontalcomponent-being taken up by'the block 62, while thevertical componentisapplied to shaft 55 to provide't-he vertical reciprocation of doctorblade 52.

To provide the circularrnotion of shaft 59, the eccentric construction.seen in FIG. 7 may be employed. There, the shaft 59 is seen to beprovided with integral The axes of 59 so that whenthe port-ions 63and63a rotate in hearing 64and 64a, respectively, the shaft 59 developsan eccentriomotion. Each bearing 64 and 64a is supported in a suitablehousing 65 and 65a, respectively, .with the housing 65 alsoproviding ahousing for the gearing trans- In the housing 65, a worm gear 66 ismounted on the end ofshaft portion 163 so that as the worm gear166 isturned, the shaft 59 follows its eccentric path. Qperating to turn thewormgear 66 isa worm 67, best seenin FIG. 6. The worm 67 is locked toa-shaft-68 which extends vertically upwardly from the upperframe-portion 17a. Thus, the shaft 59, Scotch yoke 58, and worm gearing66 and-67am all positioned above the upper frame portion 17a. The shaft68 is journaled :at its upper end .in a bearing 69 suitably mounted inthe housing65. At its lower end, theshaft 68 is supported in a bearing70 secured to the upper frame At itsextreme lower .end, the shaft 68 isequipped with .a spur gear 71 which engages the bull gear 3.3. .Thus,the doctor blade is reciprocated whenever the gravure roll 37 isrotating and. irrespective of whether the impression cylinder isrotating.

.Angular relocation ofthe doctor blade 52 may beaccomplished by theturningstructure seen at the extreme lower portion of FIGJ9 .and whichis also seen in plan view in FIG. 2. The extreme lower end. of shaft 55is equipped with a gear 72 which is engaged by a worm 73, the worm 73being mounted for rotation within a bracket 74 slidably positioned onframe 17. The worm 73 is equipped with ahorizontallyextending turninghandle 75, onlya fragment ofwhich is seen in FIG. 2. Thus, under theturning of handle 75, the shaft 55 is turned through an angle, and withit, doctor blade 52. In this manner, a proper engagement between thedoctor blade52 and the roll 43 can 'be. obtained. Also, when the doctorblade oscillating means is shifted, the blade can be positioned so as tobear-against the proper point of the periphery of rol143.

To immobilize the shaft 55 in-any given angular position, the bracket 74is equipped with apin 76 which is effective to lock the bracket 74relative to frame-portion 1712, all of which-can be seen in FIG. 9.

The upper and lower portions 17a and 17b of frame 17 are each providedwith a slot 77 (see FIG. 2). Mounted for lateral sliding movement withinslots 77 of frame 17 are upper and lower carriages 7.8, only the uppercarriage being seen in the drawing and this only in FIG. 2. Thecarriages 78 rotatably support roll 37 and are each equipped-with anelongated slot 79. The slots 79 slidably receive a second set ofcarriages 80. Carriages 8t) rotatably support the engraved roll 43.Mounted on frame 17 are a pair of cross shafts 81 and 81a (see FIG. 2and also FIG. 11), which are equipped with gears 82 and 82a,respectively, engageable with gears 83 and 83a carried by shaftextensions 84 and 84a on each of the carriages 78 and 80. Thus, by theturning of the handles 85 and 85a (see FIG. 11) on shaft 81 and 81a,respectively, the carriages 78 and 80 can be made to travel inwardly andoutwardly of the impression cylinder 10. In this fashion, larger orsmaller rolls 37 and 43 can be installed and adjustments made for properroll pressure.

The carriages 78 are each connected at their inner ends to piston rods87 (see FIG. 2). The piston rods-87 are provided as part of cylinders88, which at their closed ends are pivotally mounted as at 39 to aportion of frame 17.

The shafts 84 associated with carriages '78 are mounted in bearings '90provided as part of frame 17. The shaft 84 have limited horizontalmovement in bearings 90 under the urging of cylinders 88. The limitedmovement is designated by the. space 91 (see FIG. 2). Thus, when thepiston rods 87 are extended out of cylinders 88, carriages 78 .are movedoutwardly to separate r011 37 from the cylinder 10. Upon retraction ofpiston rod 87, roll 37 is brought into engagement with cylinder 510. Itis to be appreciated that the separation eflfected is quite small, butsufiicient to keep the otherwise contacting surfaces out of contact andprevent the unfavorable drying of ink thereon. If desired, acorresponding movement of the doctor blade may be provided when therolls 37 and 43 are spaced from the impression cylinder.

The break-away mechanism for the roll37 which has just been describedcan be found ingreater detail in the copending application of ErnstDaniel Nystrand, Serial No. 813,204,filed May 14, 1959, and referencehereby is made to that application.

To reposition the doctor blade assembly, specifically shaft 55,invarious locations relative to impression cylinder 10 so as toaccommodate dififerent sized rolls 37 and 43, the upper and lower frames17a and 17 b are equipped with elongated slots 92 in which blocks 93 areslidably received (see FIG.'9). Attached toeach block is a rack plate94. Extending through the frames 17a and 17b .is a shaft 95 (see FIG.10) equipped with upper and lower pinions 96 engageable with. racks 94for moving the blocks 93 in slots 92. The shaft 95 is suitably journaledin frames 17a and 17b for rotation. Locking of the racks in any givenposition relative to slots 92 is achieved by shaft 97 (see FIG. 10).Shaft 97 is journaled in frames 17a and 17b and is provided in twoportions united by a coupling 98. Threadedly received .onshaft 97 arenuts 99 which are oppositely threaded. Pins 99a .are provided in nuts 99and extend into the racks 94 .to restrain nuts 99 against rotation.Thus, turning of shaft 97 causes nuts 99 to tightly clamp racks 94. Theracks 94 are equipped withslots94a to accommodate shaft 97 when theracks-=94 are moved relative thereto.

By the printing apparatus described herein, it is now possible tocombine-the advantages of the single impression cylinder and yet employgravure printing techniques. The single impression cylinder 10 canbeconstructed with .a metal surface and thus have a wear-resistantsurface,

aoeaae? smaller ink-applying rolls, as the case may be, the apparatusbecomes versatile for any sized repeat. The further incorporation ofmeans for separating the ink-applying rolls andthe impression cylinderyields a beneficial operation, since there is no longer the possibilityof fouling the rolls and web during web stoppage. Additionally, theangled orientation of the cylinder 88 provides an advantageousstabilization of the carriages 78 against vibration.

Through this invention, it is now possible to provide superior printing,i.e., gravure printing, on extensible webs and other stocks of uneventhickness. The invention substantially reduces the pressures necessaryto transfer ink from the gravure cells to the web. This reduces the costof cylinders and increases the web width possible in a given printingrepeat.

While, in the foregoing specification, we have set forth a detaileddescription of an embodiment of the invention for the purpose ofexplanation thereof, many variations in those details will be perceivedby those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention.

We claim:

1. In a printing press, a metal-surfaced impression cylinder, aplurality of transfer rolls disposed about the periphery of saidcylinder with the axes of said rolls being disposed parallel to the axisof said cylinder, said rolls being in releasable engagement with thesurface of said cylinder for applying ink to a web traveling with saidcylinder, said rolls having surfaces covered with resilient material, agravure roll for each transfer roll mounted for ink-transferringengagement therewith, and means for applying ink to said gravure rolls,and doctor means for each gravure roll, said cylinder and rolls allhaving vertically disposed axes.

2. The structure of claim 1 in which said doctor means comprise a bladefor each gravure roll mounted for reciprocation parallel to the axisthereof.

3. The structure of claim 1 in which said ink-applying means comprisesvertically-disposed pipe means apertured to direct ink horizontallyagainst each of said gravure rolls.

4. The structure of claim 3 in which said doctor means is positioned tocontact an area of said gravure roll between the area of said gravureroll receiving ink from said ink-applying means and the area of saidgravure roll contacting its associated transfer roll, and shroud meansabout said rolls for confining the ink therein.

5. In a printing press, a frame rotatably supporting an impressioncylinder with its axis vertically, a plurality of ink-applying unitsdisposed about the cylinder periphery and rotatably mounted on saidframe, each of said units comprising roll means with the axis thereofdisposed vertically, means for driving said rolls and said singleimpression cylinder, means for feeding a web for travel on saidimpression cylinder, and means for feeding ink to each of said units,said units being spaced apart circumferentially about said impressioncylinder and with the roll means in each unit being positioned relativeto said cylinder to define ink travel paths having about the same dryingtime.

6. The structure of claim 5 in which said driving means comprising shaftmeans vertically rotatably disposed in said frame, means for rotatingsaid shaft means, and cooperating gear means on said shaft means,impression cylinder and roll means.

7. The structure of claim 6 in which means are provided for rotating thegear means on said roll means independent of the gear means for rotatingsaid impression cylinder.

8. The structure of claim 7 in which the said roll means is movablevertically to alter the register of said roll means with a web on saidimpression cylinder.

9. T he structure of claim 8 in which said roll means comprises a pairof rolls, one of said rolls being a gravure roll and the other atransfer roll, gear means coupling said rolls together.

10. In printing apparatus, a frame supporting an impression cylinder forrotation therein with the axis thereof disposed vertically, a pluralityof ink-applying roll means including units disposed about the peripheryof said cylinder, said frame slidably supporting subframes for movingsaid ink-applying roll means-including units out of contacting relationwith said cylinder, means for feeding a web for travel on saidimpression cylinder, and means for feeding ink to each of said units,said units being spaced apart circumferentially about said impressioncylinder and with the roll means in each unit being positioned relativeto said cylinder to define ink travel paths having about the same dryingtime.

11. In printing apparatus, a frame having an impression cylinder mountedtherein for rotation about a vertical axis, a shaft for said cylinder onthe axis thereof equipped with a pair of gears, one of said gears beingarranged to drive said cylinder, a plurality of ink-applying unitsperipherally disposed about said cylinder and positionably mounted onsaid frame, each of said units comprising contacting transfer andgravure rolls with only the transfer roll of each unit adapted tocontact a web travelling with said cylinder, a doctor blade reciprocablymounted on said frame for each gravure roll, gear means connected toeach doctor blade and coupled to the other shaft gear, and eccentricmeans interconnected between said doctor blade and said gear means.

12. The structure of claim 11 in which said rolls are each equipped withgear means and said other gear engages said roll gear means for rotatingsaid rolls.

13. The structure of claim 11 in which each of said units is equippedwith an upstanding pipe apertured to provide an ink stream for coatingsaid gravure roll adjacent said doctor blade and on the side thereofremote from said transfer roll and a second pipe is provided on theopposite side of said gravure roll.

14. In printing apparatus, a frame having upper and lower horizontalportions vertically spaced apart, a first vertically-disposed shaftjournalled for rotation in said portions and supporting an impressioncylinder, a second vertically-disposed shaft journalled for rotation insaid portions and equipped with gear means, means for driving saidsecond shaft, gear means on said first shaft cooperating with the gearmeans on said second shaft, a pair of vertically-disposed shafts mountedadjacent the cylinder periphery with a roll on each of said pair ofverticallydisposed shafts, one of said rolls being in selectivecontacting relation with said cylinder to print a web travelling thereonand the other of said rolls being remote from said cylinder but incontact With said one of said rolls to apply an inked pattern thereto,gear means on the roll shafts cooperating with the gear means on saidfirst shaft, doctor blade means for said other roll equipped with gearmeans for reciprocating said doctor blade means, said first shaft gearmeans being operative to rotate said cylinder and rolls and toreciprocate said doctor blade means.

15. In ink printing apparatus, a frame supporting an impression cylinderfor rotation therein with the axis thereof disposed vertically, aplurality of ink-applying units disposed about the periphery of saidcylinder, said frame slidably supporting subframes for moving saidinkapplying units out of contacting relation with said cylinder, each ofsaid units comprising a transfer roll and a gravure roll, said transferroll being positioned intermediate said gravure roll and said cylinderfor sequential transfer of ink from said gravure roll to a web travelingwith said cylinder, a doctor blade for each gravure roll positionedadjacent to the area of contact between said transfer and gravure rolls,ink-supplying means for each gravure roll, and means on said frame forrelocating each.

9 doctor blade in said ink supply means When rolls of difier- 2,003,800ent diameters are substituted. 2,042,060 2,283,003 References Cited inthe file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 443,050 Kerr Dec. 16,1890 913,535 1,900,030 Von Webern et a1 Mar. 7, 1933 926,058

10 Barber June 4, 1935 Kaiser May 26, 1936 Frostad et a1. May 12, 1942FOREIGN PATENTS France Sept. 12, 1946 France Sept. 22, 1947

